Reel World

By Devin D. O’Leary

The GIFF That Keeps on Giving--Later this month, the city of Gallup and the newly formed Gallup Film Foundation will sponsor the Gallup Intercultural Film Festival. The theme of this debut festival is “Shining Light on the Bridges Between Cultures.” According to organizers, a short-term goal of GIFF is to provide “a showcase of culturally diverse motion pictures.” Longer-term goals include promoting filmmaking in the local community and establishing the festival as an annual Gallup event. Right now, the festival is looking for submissions in the following categories: narrative feature (longer than 60 minutes), narrative short (up to 60 minutes), documentary feature (longer than 50 minutes), documentary short (up to 50 minutes), experimental (any length), music video, advocacy/activism, children/family, animation, gay/lesbian, regional (Gallup area), Native American, international and the all-inclusive category of “other.” Submission fee is $20 per film. Log on to www.gpac.info/giff or call (505) 879-9409 for submission information. Deadline is Sept. 15. The film festival itself will take place at Gallup’s historic El Morro Theater Sept. 29-Oct. 1.

Moviemaking Money!--In a new effort to promote local New Mexico filmmakers, Gov. Bill Richardson has wisely urged the Legislature to allocate $160,000 for the inaugural “New Visions/New Mexico” contract awards. The awards can be used by New Mexico-based producers and directors to create narrative films, documentaries, animation and experimental work. Subject to application and review by a panel of professionals and peers, filmmakers may apply for funds up to $20,000 toward the completion of existing projects or the launching of new ones. The deadline for proposals is Oct. 6, 2006. Awardees will be announced in December. A selection panel will review each proposal based on a number of criteria, such as artistic quality of the project; the applicant’s demonstrated ability and creativity; the applicant’s managerial and fiscal competence; the quality of service provided to the state; and the applicant’s efforts to reach a broad, diverse audience. Application forms are available at the New Mexico Film Office (418 Montezuma in Santa Fe), online (www.nmfilm.com) or by phone (505-827-9810).

Gay Gala is Go!--The upcoming Southwest Gay & Lesbian Film Festival (scheduled Sept. 29-Oct. 5) will have a kickoff party and benefit on Thursday, Sept. 7. This fundraising get-together will take place at Scalo Northern Italian Grill (3500 Central SE) from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Music, door prizes, food and hot-off-the-press copies of the 2006 Film Festival guide will be on hand. Tickets are $25 or $20 for Closet Cinema members. For more info, log on to www.closetcinema.org or call 243-1870.